Agricultural work-related injuries among farmers in Hubei, People's Republic of China

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This population-based study evaluated patterns of and risk factors for, agricultural injuries among farmers in the People's Republic of China. METHODS: A multistage sample of 1500 Chinese farmers was selected from 14 villages. Face-to-face interviews with 1358 farmers were conducted between July 1997 and September 1997 (response rate = 91%). Agricultural work-related injuries that occurred in the previous 24 months and the associated factors were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 33% of the farmers reported at least 1 work-related injury in the 24 months before the survey. Major external causes of the injuries were hand tools (50%), falls (26%), and heavy falling objects (10%). The statistically significant risk factors for injury were low family income, 1 to 6 school years of education, self-reported pesticide exposure, tension in relationships with neighbors, and stress in life. The most notable result was the relation between self-reported pesticide exposure and injury, with farmers with greater pesticide exposure at significantly greater risk for injury. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicated that injuries occurring among Chinese farmers may have unique patterns and potential risk factors.

Work-related injuries among farmers: a cross-sectional study from rural Nepal

“…This study showed that the majority of the farmers belonged to age group of 40–49 years, accounting for 24.4 % of all farmers. In this study, the mean age (±SD) was found to be 43.6 ± 13.2 years, which was similar to the findings of other studies [10–12, 29]. A cross-sectional study in India reports mean age (±SD) of farmers as 31.9 ± 6.6 years, which is much younger compared to our study [30].…”

“…The sample size was calculated using the prevalence of work-related injuries among farmers, [10] in Hubei, People’s Republic of China. Taking prevalence of 33 % from this study and margin of error, as 15 % of prevalence, the sample size was calculated using the formula.…”

“…This represents half of the total world labour force, and almost 60 % of them are in developing countries [9]. Agricultural injuries are reported from all around the globe [10–14]. …”

Agricultural Farm-Related Injuries in Bangladesh and Convenient Design of Working Hand Tools

“…Other injuries that occurred in farming include various animal and snake bites, heat stroke, and different side effects during or after using fertilizers or pesticides. Xiang et al [25] found that in Hubei, China, 50% of agricultural injuries are caused by hand tools. A cross-sectional study from rural Nepal [26] indicated the hand tool as highly responsible for injuries among Nepalese farmers.…”

“…A cross-sectional study from rural Nepal [26] indicated the hand tool as highly responsible for injuries among Nepalese farmers. Xiang et al [25] also found that a significant number of farm injuries in India are caused by hand tools. In this study, farm machineries (tractor, trolley, and cultivator) were also found as a significant source of agricultural injury (20%) but less frequent than hand tools (Figure 3(a)).…”